Closures in the Neighborhood

This fall is bringing closures of some staple community resources, leaving residents concerned about the neighborhood falling apart as well as where our elderly population may be able to get their next prescriptions.

Several Rite Aid locations were bought by the Walgreens Corporation in March of 2018 (the remaining locations being bought by Albertsons Cos.), including a storefront at 310 South Pearl Street. Now Walgreens is planning on closing the store September 19, 2018, including their pharmacy, leaving many neighboring residents upset and feeling neglected.

Community members have rallied together to try and save the store by signing a letter that was sent to the Walgreens CEO urging the company not to close their doors, as well as by attending rallies and protests at the Rite Aid store that is closing as well as the Walgreens on Holland Avenue, many residents had to figure out how to arrange transportation to the location across Delaware Avenue, out of their neighborhood, or sit the protest out. Current customers have been encouraged to move their prescriptions to the Holland Avenue Walgreens location, but many are concerned that location is inconvenient, especially for the elderly residents in the South End who have relied on the Rite Aid on South Pearl Street for many years.

At an August 30 meeting of the South End Community Collaborative, community members resolved to encourage their neighbors to move their prescriptions to the College Parkside Pharmacy that is located in the South End.

More protests are being held, the next one on Wednesday, September 12 at the Rite Aid at 310 South Pearl Street at 5:30pm.

Rumors have now been confirmed that the DMV located at South Pearl Street is also moving this fall, October 31, 2018. It was just announced that the DMV will reopen on Central Avenue in early 2019. It is not clear where the DMV will be located until that time.

It has not been decided who will move into the soon-to-be former-DMV location, many county agencies are being discussed as the future tenants.